The study looked at a database of 36 different types of cancers by sex and age between from 1977 to 2006.

It found the greatest gender gap in deaths from mouth cancer, where 5.5 men died for each woman patient, followed by cancer of the larynx, at 5.37, cancer of the hypopharynx at 4.47and esophageal, where 4 men died for each woman patient.

For lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women, the research found 2.3 male deaths for each female death.

Of the 36 cancers studied, only peritoneum, gall bladder, and anus cancer had higher mortality rates for women.

In fact, US men have a 1 in 2 chance of developing cancer in their lifetime compared to only 1 in 3 chance for US women, according to the American Cancer Society.

Scientists can't exactly explain this discrepancy, but it's not likely all due to the genetic differences between the male and female gender. Instead, lifestyle and life choices likely play a role.

Some possible environmental factors include more exposure to carcinogenic materials like tobacco, alcohol, and toxic metals.

“American men are more likely than women to have advanced disease by the time their cancer is diagnosed. Gender differences in exposure to carcinogens -- including tobacco smoke and viral infections -- play a role in the rate disparity,” Michael Cook, an investigator in the division of cancer epidemiology and genetics at the NCI and the study's lead investigator, told Reuters.

The researchers pointed out that there wasn't a single cause for the rate disparity, but that influences include differences in behavior of the tumor, cancer screening for people without symptoms, presence of other illnesses and whether patients sought health-care services.